Also this week: Begonia announces an extensive Canadian tour, new opportunities from Ontario Music Investment Fund for Music Company Development and more.
Soulful singer-songwriter and rising star Begonia (Alexa Dirks) has just announced a major 20-date cross-country Canadian tour in the fall. Dubbed the Fantasy Life tour in reference to her current Juno-nominated album of that name, the trek begins on Sept. 29 at the Seahorse Tavern in Halifax, concluding with a hometown concert at Winnipeg's Burton Cummings Theatre on Nov. 13. Tickets for the upcoming tour are on sale now here.
Begonia's first two critically acclaimed full-length albums, Fear (2019) and Powder Blue (2023) earned her two Juno Award nominations and two Polaris Music Prize longlist nominations, while new release Fantasy Life is nominated in the adult alternative album of the year category this year. She will tour the U.K. with Birthday Cake Records labelmates, The Brothers Landreth, April 9-25.
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Awards News
The inaugural Canadian Blues Music Awards gala is rapidly approaching, taking the stage at The Phoenix Concert Theatre, Toronto, on March 30. The nominees in 16 categories were named in January, and these trophies (plus a lifetime achievement award) will be handed out at the gala. Leading the nomination tally is Ottawa's Angelique Francis, with eight, followed by Yukon native Brandon Isaak and Vancouver Island-based duo Blue Moon Marquee, with five apiece.
Further details of the show have just been announced. Toronto artist and broadcaster Danny Marks will host and perform a song, while other noted Canadian blues artists contributing a tune apiece are Steve Marriner, Crystal Shawanda, Kenny ‘Blues Boss’ Wayne, Brandon Isaak and Dana Wylie (Secondhand Dreamcar). The gala backing band, Pass the Envelope, will be run by Manny DeGrandis (MD & Bass) with Quincy Bullen (keyboards), Dave Patel (drums), Cecile Doo-Kingue (guitar) and Dan Jancar (sax). An After party will feature emerging artist nominees Glenn Marais & The Mojo Train, Ollie Owens, JP LeBlanc and Secondhand Dreamcar on the big stage.
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The CBMAs have replaced the previous national awards show for Canadian blues, The Maple Blues Awards, which were produced by the Toronto Blues Society and launched in 1997. After the 2024 Maple Blues Awards faced heavy criticism for its winner list, the decision was made to institute a new and more diverse awards show. The Canadian Blues Music Awards is an incorporated national not-for-profit. Gala tickets are on sale now at canadianbluesmusicawards.com.
Industry News
CIMA has issued a Call of Interest as it looks at organizing a business mission for eight companies to BIGSOUND 2026 in Brisbane, Australia. CIMA will be holding curated business events during the week of Sept. 1-4 in partnership with the Sydney Consulate and the BIGSOUND team. Invited Canadian participants will work with CIMA's in-market consultant to foster connections within the Australian industry. This year BIGSOUND may also look at 1-2 Canadian acts but artists must apply directly through the festival.
– The recently launched replacement for Burlington's Sound Of Music Festival, the Lakeshore Music & Arts Festival is now accepting submissions for its first edition this summer. Fest operators MRG Live are now inviting local bands and performers, artists, vendors, food partners, artisans and non-profits to apply here. The event will feature three music stages and a downtown street festival, taking place on June 20 and 21. Read more here.
– The Ontario Music Investment Fund (OMIF) has a Music Company Development (MCD) stream that supports the development of competitive, sustainable music companies in Ontario that discover and develop talent and bring it to market. Funding is provided in the form of direct grants towards the costs of eligible activities, and it is earmarked for eligible domestic record labels, multinational record labels, domestic music publishers and music management companies.
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There is an application deadline of April 23, 2026, for activities taking place between April 1, 2026 and August 31, 2027, and a second deadline of Sept. 10, 2026, for activities taking place between August 1, 2026 and January 15, 2028. Detailed information here. Apply here.
Artists News
Toronto power-pop combo Motorists released a new album, Never Sing Alone, on March 6, via We Are Time, and have also put out a self-directed video for “The Damage.”, featured on their upcoming album Never Sing Alone out March 6, 2026 via We Are Time. The band will play an album release show in Toronto at Dina's Tavern on March 18 (tickets here), followed by dates in Montreal (March19) and Calgary (March 20).
